Dozens of prominent artists are coming together to raise funds for Palestinians.
A stellar group of musicians, visual artists and cross-disciplinary artists are uniting in the name of Palestine to fundraise for emergency humanitarian relief to Palestinian refugees and those affected by the recent conflict in Palestine and Gaza, according to a press release.
Under the banner of Liberation Studio, artists from across disciplines, genres and nations have donated prizes for a raffle raising funds for Anera.
Artists include four-time Grammy Award winner bassist Esperanza Spalding; National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and three-time Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington; the Grammy-nominated Vijay Iyer; the renowned vocalist Madison Mcferrin; the UK jazz star Shabaka Hutchings; the internationally exhibited visual artist Phoebe Boswell and Kenyan-born tattoo star Zero, in addition to Samora Pinderhughes, Ben Williams, Tina Edwards, Cara Stacey, Candice Hoyes, and Pink Cat.
The initiative draws support from across countries and creative disciplines, with visual artists, theater organizations, musicians and beyond united in their call for audiences to contribute to making a meaningful difference in Palestinian communities at a moment of global reckoning and dire need.
Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and Associate Professor at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, has helped to advise the fundraising campaign.
“I am a passionate believer in the power – and responsibility – of art and artists to enact real change in our world, and I am proud to be part of a creative community that is so ready to use their platform in this way,” said musician Samora Pinderhughes.
Pinderhughes, who co-founded the initiative, is a composer, songwriter and Harvard doctorate student. He is an artist whose work is deeply entrenched in activism, from his role in writing and performing as part of the musical group August Greene, alongside Common and Robert Glasper, to his involvement with Blackout for Human Rights alongside Ava Duvernay and Ryan Coogler.
“I think we are witnessing a moment of truly global solidarity, and many artists are recognizing the ways in which movements such as BLM in the US connect directly to other freedom struggles around the world. This is creating a new kind of momentum that I think will be both potent and profound, and that will see many others join us to donate and participate as the movement continues,” said Pinderhughes.
Anera President and CEO Sean Carroll, added, “the international nature of this campaign is incredibly meaningful to all those doing such vital work on the ground in these hard-hit spaces. Every penny raised really does make an impact on how much we can do and how many we can help.”